Car-coupling



Patented Nov. 24

GAR GOUPLING.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES IVILSON MCGILII, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,68*?, dated November 24, 1891.

I Application ned Mach 11, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I', JAMES WILsoN MCGILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Peoria, lin the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the followingis afulLclear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specilication.

My invention relates to improvements Ain car-couplings.

The object of the invention is to provide a car-coupling in which the links will be automatically held in proper position to enter the draw bar or head of an approaching car, thus avoiding the necessity of a brakeman or other party going between the cars in order to manipulate the links.

It is also the object to provide animproved construction whereby the coupling-links will automatically accommodate themselves to draw-heads of different heights.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of a car-coupling constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the couplings connected together. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the coupling-link and connections housed within the draw-bar. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 0c as, Fig. l.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates a draw-bar having the enlarged portion 2 and the rearwardly-extending contracted portion 4. This draw-bar has the usual flaring mouth 5 and aligned apertures G for the coupling-pin 7.

The numeral 8 designates a follower located and movable within the drawbar, having a short rearwardly-projecting tubular arm 9, within which is inserted one end of a coiled spring 10, which is held therein by means of pins 12, passing through said arms at right angles to each other. The opposite Serial No. 384,593. (No model.)

end of the spring 10 abuts against stops 13, provided in the interior of the portion 4 of the draw-bar. Projecting from the front of the follower at top and bottom are two arms 14, to which is secured a tapering pin 15,which is slightly inclined from the perpendicular, as shown. This pin passes through a tapered hole in a boss 16, formed on the inner end of.' the coupling-link 17, the said link otherwise being of any ordinary construction. This boss is free to move up and down upon said pin, so as to accommodate the link to different heights of draw-bars. The object'of inclining the pin 15 is so that the outer end or the point of the link will always be slightlyT elevated, preventing sagging or drooping of the same and insuring that it will be properly presented to an approaching draw-bar.

Located in the enlarged portion of the drawbar, immediately infront of its junction with the contracted portion 4 and upon each side of the arms 14, are two square or other angularly-shaped vertical bars 1S, which pass through aligned holesv in the top and bottom of the draw-bar. These bars serve as stops to limit the outward movement of the follower, and by removing them the follower, spring, and coupling-link may be withdrawn from the draw-bar.

The operation will be readily understood. As the cars approach each other the couplinglinks will enter the mouths of the draw-bars, enabling the coupling-pins to be inserted. In passing each-other one of the coupling-links 'will be raised or elevated on the pin 15, while the other will be lowered. This feature willV be found very efficient in coupling cars of different heights.

From the above it will be noted that. the

links are always in proper position to enter 9o 1. In a car-coupling, the combination, with' IOO the draw-har, the spring-actuated follower, ing a boss with a tapering aperture, and a and the pin secured thereto, of the link havcoupling-pin, substantially as descrihed. ing a boss with ataperinghole through which el. In a car-coupling, the combination, with said pin passes, and a coupling-pin, suhstana draw-bar provided with an enlarged portion 5 tially as described. and a contracted portion and having aligned z 5 2. Ina car-coupling, the comhinatiomwth holes in its top and bottom, ot the springthe draw-bar, the spring-actuated follower, actuated follower having an inclined pui, and the inclined tapering pin secured to the the coupling-link having an apertured boss follower having a tapering aperture of the through which said pin passes, and the vert1- Io coupling-link having a boss with a tapering cal angular hars passing through said apcr- 3o aperture, and the coupling-pin, substantially tures in the draw-bar and serving as stops to as described.- limit the forward movement of the follower,

3. In a car-coupling, the combination, with substantially as described. the draw-bar, of the follower having a rearln testimony that I claim the foregoing as L' 5 wardly-extending tubular arm and. forwardmy own I have hereunto aixed my signature 35 ly-projecting arms having apertures therein, in presence of two witnesses.

the inclined Itapering pin passing through JAMES VILSON MCGILL. said apertures, the coiled spring and the pins Vitnesses: passing through said tubular arms at right XVM. SCOTT,

zo angles to cach other, the coupling-link liav- EDWARD M. SEERL. 

